Display construction



July 12, 1960 B. F. GRANTHAM 2,944,678

DISPLAY CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BL F. GRANTHAM DISPLAY CONSTRUCTION July 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6, 1955 llv INVENT OR United States Patent 2,944,678 r DISPLAY CONSTRUCTION Baffield Fredrick Grantham, Po. Box 1320, Deland, Fla. Filed Sept. 6, 1955, Ser. No. 532,586

3 Claims. or. 211- 111 v ment, and extremely expensive to store between periods ,of use.

Accordingly, an obiect of the present invention is to these display bo'oths generally are 1 bulky, costly to transport and easily damaged duringship- 7 Patented July 12, 1960 Fig. 14 is an enlarged view in vertical section illustrating one of the connection forming means of the. in-

' 'vention.

The basic display box or unit 20 of the invention comprises a substantially square frame or tray having side members 21 and a top member 22 and a bottom member 23. The display box is also'provided with a flat back I wall 24, as illustratedin Fig. 4. The sides and the top Figss6 thro'ugh 12. These blocks are referred to hereinit has been necessary to re-construct new and bottom members or flanges of the box are provided with a plurality of equally spaced apart openings 25 which may be used for interconnecting the display boxes or for supporting a plurality of the display brackets, a's subsequently more fully described.

The display boxes 20 may use of avariety of vconnector blocks, as illustrated, in

after as: a T-shaped block 26 (Fig. 9), anL-shaped block 27 (Fig. 10), a double-end block or connector 28 (Fig. 11), and a single-end spacing block 29 (Fig. 12). These blocks are provided with spaced apart openings 30 which are adapted to register with theopeningsf25 in the'side, top and bottom members of each o'f'the display boxes 20. V

The openings 30 and the openings 25 in the display boxes are adapted to receive a cylindrical, resilient'connector member 31, as illustrated in Fig. 13.1This conneeto'r'rnember, for the purposes of illustration, isshow'n: -as a cylindrical hollow piece of rubber tubing,1it being understood'that the connector member may be formed provide a new and improyeddisplay-structure whichmay be easily adaptedgfor use in any exhibit hall. H r 2 Another object of the present invention is to provide, a basic display box and a variety of novel connection forming means whereby a plurality of these display boxes may be interconnected to form a variety of self-supporting display structures of any appropriate size. s

Another object of the present i vention is. toprovide a display box and connection formingmeans, as described above,1having uniform inter-related constructions'whereby 2 a plurality of boxes and connection forming means may be interchanged for accommodating ease and-quickness of assembly of a display construction without the use of special a tools.

Yet anotherlobject of the present invention: is to';pro

vide new and, improved displaybracket'foruse with the disp layboxes. V l t S i a h r bje t he Pr n n en on, is to p vide a novel j connection for} inter-connecting the display boxes of the invention. e I

, These and other ob ects and advantages present,

nvention-will be apparentfro'm the following description of one form of: the invention, taken with the accompany ipg drawings, wherein:

- .Fig.; l illustrates a d play lconstruc'tion i-f o rrned by the of a solid, resilient material and need not'necessarily be cylindrical in form. j V i More particularly, the openings 25 in the display boxes 'are provided with substantially the samediameter 32.

The openings 30*in the blocks are also provided with substantially the same diameter 33, but this diameter-is slightly less thanthe diameter 32 of the openings 25 in I Q the display zboxes Further, the outer normal d ialmeter 34 of the resilient connector 31 isslightly greater than the diamete'r 32 of the 'openings in thedisplay boxes." Thus, when the connector 31 isinsertedthroughan opening 30 in a block and then through an opening 25" in a display box, the Walls of the openings 30 and 25 leompress and grip the connector 31 and firmly retain it 'in Quse of the display boxes and-connection formingmeans.

; of-gthe present invention}; 3 M l Fig.2 is a perspectiv e view illustrating'a' display box adapted for use asadisplayltable; Y l e e Fig, 3 is a perspective view/illustrating a display. box in use'asanupsta'nding display frame; Y

a plurality .of brackets adapted to support the products etc-be p y Fig.5; is an enlarged front; sectional 'view' illustrating 4 onej-use'of the connection forming; means of theinvene l i "a 2 Eigssfi through l-z; illustrate a: number ofthe eo'n- -neetingformipg means of the invention; s

win front elevation of a 4:. Fig, 4 is a perspectiveeview of a display box including a wedged position, as illustrated in Fig. 14, whereby the block 29 and box 20 are substantially firmly interconnected. Fig. 14 illustrates the compressed condition of the several sections ofa connector 31 when it has been wedged through the opening 30in a block and 'thelower end-pf the connector has been wedged into an opening 25 in a display box. a

Fig. 5 illustrates the us'e' of a single-end 'block' 29' dis- 7 posed in a substantially vertical position betweenthe" two adjacen t'side members'21 of :two display boxes 20. These boxes areinterconnected byfa' connector. '31'which extends through the aligned bpenings 25 in the upper portions of the side members of theboxes and through the opening 30 in the single-end block 29. A similar connection may be made between the lower portions 'of the side members The flat surface of the blocks 29 bear against the outer surfaces of theiside members, Yand aid in giving the'connections a substantial degreeiof rigidity.

Thus, it may be seen that by use of the resilient conl motors and the variety of blOcks a'pIiirality of display 65.

boxes 20 may be easily and quickly interconnected to form a large variety'of display structures; Also, due to the diameters of the openings in'the display boxes and V the blocks, the connectors'are more tightlyswed ged into position in the block openings 30 than they are in the openings 25 of the display boxes. Thus an assernbly 'of boxes may be easily and quickly dis-assemblegl by m y p ra ing e ch. display P9 r m it re p be interconnected by the connectors 31, each connector 31 remaining wedged in its block rather than sliding free from the block and remaining in the display box as the display box is moved away fromthe block n j a F I,

Fig. 5 also illustrates the use of a double-end typ'e block 28 which is arranged on the top members 22 of the adjacent display boxes, The openings 50 of the block 28 are in registry with the respective openings 25 in the top rnembers of the display boxes The opening 30 in the righthand end portion of the doubleend block receives a connector 31, as previously described, and the upper end 35 of this connector is received 'infan opening 25 in the bottom member 23 of another display box 20. The lower end of this connectoris received through the registered opening 25 in the 'top ni ember of the right hand box, The opening inthe left hand portionof the double end block is shown in use with 'a modified form brine connector. This connector 36 is substantially twothirds as long as the connector 31, heretoforedescribed, :so that the upper end 37 of the connector is disposed a substa ntially flush relation with the upper surface of the connector block 28. If desired, this connection may be strengthened by driving a peg 38 into the top of the connector 36 for wedging the walls of the connector tightly between the peg 38 and the wallof the opening 30 in the block. The length of the connectors 31 is slightly less than the combined double width of a box member and one block whereby the ends of the con ne ctors 31 remain hidden from sight. The connections shown in Fig. .5 are merely for purposes of illustration, :it being funderstood that the number and arrangements of the connections may vary according to each particular assembly of boxes and according to the degree of rigidity reguired by the assembly. 7 v

V In order to facilitate the assembling of'a plurality of display boxes 20 into a display construction, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the display boxes and the connection-forming means are provided with a uniform related construction whereby an assembly can be made easily, withoutthe use of special tools. All of the blocks are provided with substantially the same thickness and the,spaci ng of the openings in the blocks andthe openings 25 in the display boxes is such that any block maybe used in a position where it is needed without the need for selecting a block having a particular'thiclgness, Thus, in the construction illustrated in Fig, 5, a T -shaped block 26 could be substituted for the double-end block 28, and a doubleend block could be substituted for the single-end block 29 without varying theoverall relationships ofthe three display boxes 20 as'illustrated. .The arrangement is 'such, ,that when blocks are used informing an assembly of display boxes, all of the spaces 39. between the boxes are substantially the same whereby the assembly "or display construction providesa pleasing appearanceno matter from whichposition the assemblymay be'viewed.

Also, if desired, the blocks may be formed of-a' suitably resilient material to aidin strengthening'the rigid characteristics of an assembly of the display boxes. :Thus,

,in the construction, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the end block 28 could be foamed of this resilient materialy and the center lines of the openings 30 in "the block 'could be spaced slightly closer together than the center lines of thelaterally spaced. apart connector receiving openings 25 in the boxes whereby the connectorsgl'il would tension the block 23 and provide a somewhat firmereQnnectiQn. Moreover, the spacing of the openings 25, 30 and the thickness of the connector blocks-issuch that when a connection is formed, as illustrated in Figs. Std Spinclusive, the ends of the two displa y boxes -are' spaced apart "a suflicient distancetoi accommodate the swinging movement of one box around' the end of th e other box into any desired positio'n'as illustrated by Fig. 8.

' From the foregoing descriptian, it is spa-en tags are providd' with th The bppositely'disposed 4 plurality of display boxes and connection-forming means may be used to construct an assembly of boxes of substantially any size or configuration. The assembly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, shows a variety of constructions which may be easily made.

The boxes 20 in the first or right hand column are arranged in substantially the same plane, and are interconnected betweentheir upper and lower members 22 and 23 by coniiectioiis using both the double end and s'iii gleiend'typ e blocks 28 and 29, I Also, all ot-the backwalls 24 of these boxes are turned toward the viewer and may be provided with an "suitable advertising matter.

The second column of' display boxes is connected to the right hand column by use of the double-end blocks 28, and is spaced rearwardly from the first column. The back wall 24 of the upper display box in the second column is turned rearwardly to accommodate the insertion of productdispla'y brackets and the like inthedis'pl'ay box, as subsequently more fully describe d.

,Th'eu pp'e'rinost display boxes :20 in-the fo1'1r'th and fifth colurrins are illustrated with the backwall removed "and anor'namental bracket 40 inserted within the frame of 'each box to'aid in providing an assembly which is pleasihg to the eye. Also, the two display boxes 'bene'ath'the ornamented boxes have been removed to provide an opening '41 in "the assembly behind which 'a salesman 'maystandtopassiout advertising literature. The opening '41 mightalso b'e'used for a recessed backvt' ardly extendingfas'semibly, not shown, whet'ein additional products could be displayed In'orderto'provide the assembly with a suitable amount 'ofstability, the left hand end portion or the sixth'c'olumn of display boxes is connected to the mid portion'of seventhicoluinn of display boxes by a plurality of T- 'shaped blocks '26fwhereby the seventh column 'is 'disposed substantially normal to the plane of the sixth column of display boxes.

The eighth-column is provided with another opening 42 b'etweenthe upper and lower boxes in the 'c'olumn, whereby, clue 'to the versatility of the construction, the upper box in the columnextendsfoutwardly from the 'assemb lyan d is connectedonl'y tothe upper display box in the seventh column.

:Finally, the only displa'y box in the ninth column is connected to the lowermost box in the eighth column by the use of two double-end blocks 28 whereby the box'is disposed outwardly at an angle from. the display assembly. 7

, Thus, it'may be seenthat a large variety of constructions i'nay be formedfby use of the basic display box and the connection means, the assembly illustrated in-Fig.

being shownonly fonillustratihg some of the possible "received'ih the appropriate openings 25 inthe side members'21 of the box 20. The rearmostedg'e 46 of each bracket is substantially straight "an d'is adapted t'o'be'ar "against theinner surface'of the back wall 24 "of the box, whereby the brackets extehd outwai'dly fromfthe open i face of thefbox in a suitably; appropriate manner.

The outwardly extendin g portions '47 of the "brackets are provided wi'th' a variety of shapes for s upporting different products.

versatility of the basic display box is'fu rth'er illustrated in Figs.-2 'and 3. As shown in Fig.-2,-a display l'a'oxniay b'e cb'riv'erted into a' display'table or thelike by the use of four legs 48. The upper portions of fthse rough holes 49,which*are dispprbpriateopenings 25 iii-the passer registered openings and holesh eceive' a 'pa'ir sameness 45 wherebythelegs posed in registr 'ththe are releasably connected to the box. The holes 49 have substantially the same diameter as the block openings 36 whereby, if desired, the legs 48 may be connected to the box by the resilient connectors 31. The upper edges 50 of the legs are substantially straight and are adapted to bear against the under side of the back wall 24 of the box, whereby the legs are retained in a substantially rigid relation with respect to the box.

As shown in Fig. 3, the display box 20 may also be used as an upstanding individual display assembly by the use of a pair of standards 51. These standards are connected to the outer sides of the side members 21 of the display box and each is provided with a pair of d0wnward ly diverging legs 52. The upper portion of each standard is provided with a pair of vertically spaced apart through holes 53, having substantially the same diameter as the block openings 30 whereby each standard may be connected to the side of the box by a pair of the connectors 31. The standards have substantially the same thickness as the blocks and if desired, the standards 51 may be used in an intermediate position between two adjacent upstanding display boxes 20. In this construction the connectors 31 extend through the openings 25 in the two spaced apart sides of the display boxes and through the holes 53 in the standards. Also, the tops of the display boxes may be connected by the use of a single end block 29 and a double end block 28 as illustrated, and the bottom end of the standards may be further connected by use of a double end block 28 which is disposed between the leg portions of the standard, as shown in Fig. 3.

Thus, it may be seen that there has been provided a new and improved display structure which may be easily adapted for use in substantially any exhibit hall. The basic display boxes of the invention may be .quickly and easily assembled into a great variety of difierent display structures and the display boxes may also be used individually for displaying products as previously described.

The foregoing description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be implied therefrom, for it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and changes may be made in the structure of the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a display support, the combination which cornprises a plurality of juxta-positioned rectangular-shaped trays having back walls with side, bottom and top flanges extended from edges thereof, said side, top and bottom flanges each being of a depth less than one-third of the width of the attached back wall, said flanges having spaced openings therethrough and the openings of the flanges of one t-ray being in registering relation with the openings of the flanges of an adjoining tray, spacing blocks positioned between the vertical flanges at the sides of the trays, rectangular-shaped connector blocks positioned above and below the top and bottom flanges of the trays, respectively, with openings of the blocks positioned in registering relation with the openings of the top and bottom flanges of the trays, and elongated plugs of resilient material extended through the openings of the blocks and flanges for temporarily retaining the trays in assembled relation whereby products may be displayed thereon.

2. In a display structure, the combination which comprises a plurality of juxta-positioned rectangular-shaped trays assembled to provide a vertically disposed rack, said trays having back walls with side, bottom, and top flanges extended from edges thereof, said side, top and bottom flanges each being of a depth less than one-third of the width of the attached back wall, said flanges having spaced openings therethrough and the openings of the flanges of one tray being in registering relation with the openings of the flanges of adjoining trays, spacing blocks positioned between the flanges at the sides of the trays, connector blocks positioned below and above the bottom and top flanges of the trays with openings of the blocks positioned in registering relation with openings of the flanges, and tubular plugs of resilient material extended through openings of the blocks and flanges for retaining the parts in assembled relation, some of the trays being omitted providing openings through the structure.

3. In a display support, the combination which cornprises a plurality of juxta-positioned rectangular-shaped trays having back walls with side, bottom, and top flanges extended from edges thereof, said flanges having spaced openings therethrough and said openings of the flanges of one tray being in registering relation with the openings of the flanges of an adjoining tray, spaced blocks having openings therethrough between the trays and positioned whereby the openings thereof are in registering relation with openings of the trays, and elongated tubular plugs of resilient material extended through the openings of the flanges of the trays and also through openings of the blocks for temporarily retaining the trays in assembled relation, the diameter ,of the plugs being greater than that of the openings of the flanges whereby the plugs are frictionally retained in said openings, the diameter of the openings of the blocks being less than the diameter of the openings of the flanges whereby the tubular plugs are contracted in the blocks between the flanges.

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